Are the Bucs adjusting to SoCon?

ETSU athletics has had its ups and downs since joining the Southern Conference. The Bucs have completely dominated in men’s and women’s tennis since joining the SoCon, winning the conference in consecutive years.

The men have been able to bring their dominance to the SoCon since joining, winning 10 straight conference titles.

“It is an amazing feeling to get to 10 in a row,” ETSU Head Coach Yaser Zaatini said. “10 is a big number when talking about consecutive championships. To be able to accomplish this with this group of seniors is pretty amazing.

It is obvious this does not happen overnight and this one feels as good as every other. I am excited for the kids and future of ETSU.”

Despite the success for the Bucs in tennis teams, the men’s and women’s soccer teams haven’t quite adjusted that well in the SoCon.

However, they both have shown they are becoming more competitive when it comes to competition in the conference.

The move for the baseball program hasn’t been that stellar for the Bucs like they were hoping. Still in the last bit of games in their 2016 season before the SoCon conference, the Bucs are 22-25 on the season. They already have one more win than they had a season ago, but are still trying to avoid their third consecutive losing season.

The Bucs are still trying to step up to the competition of the SoCon to show that they belong in the conference, and with the team they have this season, they have shown signs they are more than capable of winning more games.

Since joining the SoCon, the Bucs’ volleyball team has been consistent. Since leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference, they have yet to have a losing record.

The Bucs still win 16 or more games a season and this season finished 19-12 and 9-7 in the conference.

The only thing that has changed since leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference is that they were winning 10 or more games in conference play.

The Bucs this season showed that they can play at the level of play in the SoCon.

Joining the SoCon was a good move for the women’s volleyball program; the team is still recruiting very well since joining the conference.

The basketball programs are doing very well since joining the SoCon.

Recruiting wise, they are a very appealing destination for transfers and players who weren’t highly recruited but possess the skills to play at a high level in the SoCon.

Women’s Head Coach Brittney Ezell and Men’s Head Coach Steve Forbes have done a great job of making sure their teams are competitive in the conference.

About the AuthorEdwin Nelson

Edwin Nelson is a Sophomore from Chattanooga who moved to Johnson City to pursue a journalism degree at ETSU. His passion for writing about sports — especially basketball — is what led him to choose journalism as a major and join the East Tennessean staff. When he’s not watching the Bucs play, he’s watching his favorite professional basketball team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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